Easy Patchwork Placemats Tutorial

Bright and cheerful quilted placemats update your dining room or make a great gift for a loved one.

Patchwork Placemats square

This month was a quick and easy project tutorial for Fort Worth Fabric Studio… some Easy Patchwork Placemats!

I feel like a placemat machine lately!  My more modern placemats – Squared Away Placemats – were in Make Modern earlier this month, and now these are a more traditional set of placemats.  These bright and cheerful colors make a perfect birthday present for a special person.

Patchwork Placemats

I quilted a feathery all over design in light pink that is an even design that will wash well.  Unfortunately, my long arm is going to be packed up soon and I am going to miss it!

Linking up to: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFF, and Show off Saturday at Sew Can She

 

Baby Square Dance

I’ve shown some pictures of this quilt in progress, and as just a top (between Instagram – QA Creations and the blog), but it’s finished!  This is the 10″ block version of my Square Dance Quilt pattern (available on Craftsy).

Baby Square Dance Front

This quilt is my entry for the Spring 2015 Blogger’s Quilt Festival – Small Quilt group.  This quilt is about 40″ by 40″.

Baby Square Dance Back

Many of the blocks in this quilt were made by members of my Quilting Circle – a wonderful group that I was a member of here in North Carolina.  I did a paper piecing demo for the group, and then we all started work on these blocks.

I had brought the fabric pre-cut so that the group could concentrate on learning paper piecing.  This was all fabric from my stash that was begging to turn into something cute and useful.

Baby Square Dance WiP

I was very impressed by how good these blocks turned out considering many of the ladies had never paper pieced before. I took the blocks we made together, and added a few more so that I would have enough to create the top.

Boy 10inch square dance

I quilted the Bauhaus panto all over using blue thread.  I love this pattern for masculine quilts.

Baby Square Dance Quilting Closeup

I was a little rushed finishing this quilt!  Sunday is my last meeting with the Tarheel quilt guild, so I was under a deadline to finish it and turn it in.  I may be stitching the label on during the meeting… we’ll see if I get it on in the next 18 hours or so.

This quilt is going to the Fayetteville Tarheel Quilt Guild and will be donated to the NICU at the hospital.  I hope that a family really cherishes this quilt, and that it brings them comfort during their stay with the NICU.

– Heather

Also sharing at Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsScraptastic Tuesday @ She Can QuiltLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth FabricShow off Saturday at Sew Can She

 

Square Dance Quilt Pattern

Paper pieced pattern includes photographic instructions and offers three block sizes and six quilt sizes for maximum value!

I have been working on this quilt pattern for over a year, and I’m really excited to be able to share it with you today!  The Square Dance Quilt Pattern is now available in my Craftsy store.

Square Dance pattern Cover

This is a paper pieced version of a traditional block – one of the traditional names for this block is Square Dance, and I thought it was the most appropriate name for the quilt once you see the overall movement created by the blocks.

Square Dance Quilt

I experimented with many different sizes of blocks, and the result of that work is that this pattern includes 6″, 8″ and 10″ versions.  I also tried a 4″ version, but it’s not practical for a quilt of any size!  The instructions include fabric requirements to make 6 quilt sizes (Baby/Crib, Lap, Twin, Double, Queen, and King) from all three block sizes.

This paper pieced block is a great introduction to paper piecing!  I used this pattern to teach a group to paper piece and was very impressed by their results in a couple of short hours.  A full color photo tutorial on how to paper piece is included with this pattern, so if you are new to paper piecing this is a great way to get started.

The cover quilt uses the 8″ version of the block.

Square Dance Quilt

I had help making some of the blocks from my bee last year – the 2014 Stash Bee Hive 12.  For this version, I custom quilted it and entered it in the North Carolina State Fair, where it earned 2nd place in the competitive Group category.

Square Dance Quilt

Sharon of ShaShaLaRue Quilts also made a Frolic Square Dance Quilt.  She can also be found on Facebook or on Instagram @ShaShaLaRueQuilts.  Her playful version demonstrates the versatility of this block because this is perfect for a crib or baby’s playroom!

FroclicSquareDance_SChalle171 copy

The 6″ version is also great for Sampler Quilts or bee blocks because if you make 4 of them, it results in a 12.5″ unfinished block, which is what so many samplers or bees ask for!

Square Dance in red

I made the block above to add to my “real world red & white” quilt.

My guild, the Tarheel Quilter’s Guild in Fayetteville, NC makes quilts for the NICU.  Our local hospital likes the quilts to be approximately 40″ square, so I used 16 of the 10″ blocks and made the little boy version of the quilt below.  This quilt is made up of blocks made by my Quilting Circle – most of whom had never paper pieced before!

Boy 10inch square dance

In order to create variation like the cover quilt, a variety of fabric should be used.  This quilt would also look amazing in just two colors, or invert the color scheme.  Use any combination you can dream for your own look!

You can make any of the block sizes or quilt sizes using fat quarters, half yards or full yards so this quilt is stash friendly!

The pattern is available in my Craftsy store – Quilts Actually Patterns.  It is on sale through Mother’s Day (May 10th, 2015) for $7.50.

If you make this quilt, please share it with the hashtag #squaredancequilt or by tagging me @QACreations.  You can also email me pictures or a link to your blog post at quilts actually(at)gmail.com.  I would love to see what you make!

– Heather

Linking up to some of the following: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsScraptastic Tuesday @ She Can QuiltLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Show off Saturday at Sew Can She.

 

Squared Away Placemats

Squared Away Placemats

Modern and colorful, the Squared Away Placemat set was published in the May 2015 Make Modern issue.

I’ve had a secret project in the works for a few months now, and I’m really excited to share the good news!

Squared Away Placemat

My first pattern was published in Make Modern‘s May issue!  If you would like to purchase the issue, it is available here.  My project is in home section, and is called the Squared Away Placemats.

Make Modern Project cover page

I made these placemats based off a design I first came up with for the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Swap last summer.  It was one of my early attempts at a more modern look, and I was so grateful for signing up for that swap because it pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I would not have come up with this design without that push, and I still really like how it turned out!

Schnitzel & Boo Mini Swap

You can see the inspiration from the mini quilt in the finished placemats.  One or two of the fabrics have even made an appearance in both items.

Squared Away Placemat

If you follow me on instagram (@QACreations) or Facebook (Quilts Actually), you’ve seen a preview of the quilting on these.  I love the wave panto for a modern look.

Wave quilting

These are a simple, quick project that is great for using up some of those precious scraps you’ve been hoarding of your favorite fabrics… I know you have those tiny scraps saved!  It is also perfect for that mini charm pack you picked up at the store because they are cute, and then you get home and realize, what am I ever going to use this for?

Squared Away Placemat

We’ve all been there, it’s ok!  Use those bits to make a placemat so that you can see those beautiful little bits everyday.  My daughter loves this rainbow version because she gets to point out all the colors.

If you make set of these placemats, please let me know!  I would love to see what you do with my pattern.  Send me a picture, direct me to a blog post, or share on instagram with #squaredawaytable.

Also, these smaller quilted items are great to practice quilting on your machine, but if you just don’t have time or want to make a bunch as gifts you can always send them to me to be quilted.  Use one continuous length of fabric for the back, and send me the placemats to use as the top.  It’s an even better deal if you have another quilt – make the backing extra long and I can quilt those extra smaller pieces on the end of the backing below the quilt.  Contact me if you are interested!

– Heather

Linking up to some of the following: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsScraptastic Tuesday @ She Can QuiltLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth FabricShow off Saturday at Sew Can She

 

Quilts Actually on the move….

Quilts Actually Moving Announcement 2015

 

As you may know, my husband is in the Army.  Therefore, every few years they notify us that it is time to move.  This summer we will be moving from North Carolina to New York.

What that means to me and my family:

We will be putting all our belongings on a truck in early June, to include my longarm.  That means I need to finish all customer quilts before I take down my longarm prior to the arrival of the packers and movers.  I do not want to move any quilts that are not my own because I don’t want your quilt subject to any of the risk inherent when other people move your belongings.

moving truck

What does that mean to you?
I am setting a cutoff date of May 1st for you to mail your quilts if you want it completed prior to my move.  That will give me time to quilt it for you and give it the attention it deserves before I pack everything up.  You will receive your completed quilt as I finish it, but guarenteed before the end of May.
If you will not have your quilt ready to mail by May 1st, I will be setting up my longarm back up and still doing quilting for others in New York.  We are tentatively hoping to be unpacked and settled in sometime in July.
The only thing that will change will be my physical location.  Instead of being a little over an hour from Raleigh, I will be a little over an hour from New York City.

house border

When I am ready to accept quilts again, I will let you know and we will celebrate with a Quilts Actually Grand Re-Opening!

Thank you for your understanding and patience, and I hope to quilt for you in the future!
– Heather

Heart Quilting

Here is a beautiful quilt that I finished while ago, but forgot to share.  If you follow me on instagram (@QACreations) or Facebook, you may have already seen some pictures of this quilt.

Heart Quilt

This cheerful quilt had hearts at the center of log cabins.  The borders were fabric made to look like chocolate.  This was literally a sweet quilt!

Heart Quilt

I kept the sweet + heart theme going and used light pink thread to quilt a heart panto all the quilt.

Heart Quilt

My daughter even decided to “help” out with the quilting… by re-arranging thread!

Heart Quilt

I hope its future owner loves it!

– Heather

Linking to: Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the RiverLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict

Quilted Footstool Tutorial

Quilt your favorite fabrics to create a statement piece by following the instructions for this quilted footstool tutorial.

I just finished my favorite non-quilt item I’ve made.

Completed footstool

My daughter is two, and we play a lot in her room – and most of that playing is at floor level.  Sitting in the nice comfortable adult size chair that is in her room is not acceptable, but my body just can’t handle sitting on the floor for hours a day.

That is where this quilted footstool comes in.  We recently purchased new foam to go in the seat cushions of the couch.  We kept the old foam for a little while to see if it would fit in a different couch that is even worse (but of course it didn’t fit – that would have been too convenient!). One day as I was sitting on the floor, I realized that this old foam could be the solution to my problem.

We (royal we = my husband) cut the foam in half and I stacked it, and I made the quilted cover for it.  I have a tutorial on how I made it over at Fort Worth Fabric Studio if you would like to make your own.

Quilted Footstool Tutorial

I used some fabric from the Petal & Plume line by Bari J – seriously gorgeous!  That peacock fabric is amazing in person.

Initially, I had planned to do more subdued quilting on the fabric.  I was going to use purple Bottom Line – which is a really thin thread that you would barely have seen.  The texture from the quilting would have been all that was visible.

Then, as I was looking through my thread I found this amazing pink variegated Fantastico thread and I knew it was meant to be for this fabric.  The design on this fabric is strong enough that it stands up to (and I think is complimented) by a shiny visible thread.  I used a peacock feather panto for the peacock fabric.

Closeup of Peacock Quilting

For the feather fabric, the lines are pretty thick and it the design is fairly dense so I knew that whatever quilting I did was probably not going to show very much.  I continued to use the pink thread, but switched to a loose feather panto to mix it up a little bit.

You can’t really see the quilting on the top, but you can see the pattern against the backing.  With two different quilting designs, using the same thread for both fabrics gives a little bit of continuity to the quilting.

Cover on foam with zipper open

I know most people leave their quilting on quilts, but I love bringing it into other parts of my house and life.  This footstool/cushion now sits in my daughter’s room, and I love how much color it brings into her room.

Footstool in use

She may end up claiming this from me, based on how many times she has sat and climbed on it already, but hopefully I will also get to enjoy using it.  Worst case, I have one old couch cushion left, so I may have to make a second one for me.

If you want to bring some of your favorite fabrics into your everyday life, contact me and I can quilt fabric for you.

Linking up to some of the following: Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsTips and Tutorials Tuesdays @ Late Night QuilterLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFShow off Saturday at Sew Can She, and Threading your way @ Threading my Way

Quilted Oven Mitt Tutorial

how to make oven mitts

Learn to make your own fun quilted oven mitts from this tutorial for the Fort Worth Fabric Studio.

Hello again!  This week I have a tutorial to make quilted oven mitts up on the blog at Fort Worth Fabric Studio.  Check it out!

Quilted Oven Mitt Tutorial

Making your own oven mitts is a great way to bring what you love (quilting) into the kitchen in a tasteful and useful way.  I hope you find the oven mitt tutorial useful, and please let me know if you make a pair!

Linking to some of the following: Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays @ Late Night QuilterWiP Wednesday @ Freshly PiecedLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth FabricShow off Saturday at Sew Can SheStash Bee Link Up

Stash Bee Square Dance Quilt

This year I participated in the Stash Bee, an online bee made up quilters all over the world.  I was in Hive 12, and my month was May.  I asked the members of my hive to make me blocks from my Square Dance quilt block tutorial using the paper piecing pattern that I created for this project (now available on Craftsy).

Custom longarm quilting

Here she is – in all her glory!  The members of my hive did such an amazing job with their blocks.  The variety that they added to this quilt is what really makes it shine!  I will really enjoy sitting on the couch cozying up with this quilt this winter knowing that so many people helped make this quilt happen.

A huge thank you to Heather, Cheryl, Jennifer, Michele, Kristel, Laura, Toni, Genevieve, Francis and Willa!

Quilting progress

Above are some pictures of the quilting in progress.  To see more pictures, please see my Quilts Actually blog post about the quilting of this Square Dance quilt.

quilt binding

This quilt was a little rushed because I was working to complete it before the fair.  The binding and I spent some late nights, a lot of time in front of the TV, and an all day guild meeting together in order for it to get done.

Hand sewn quilt binding

It was worth all the work though… I finished it in time to enter it in the North Carolina State Fair, where we earned 2nd place in the Group quilt category!  I’m going to say we were robbed… just kidding… I didn’t actually see the 1st place quilt, so the possibility does exist that it was better.

State Fair Quilt

Once I was able to pick up the quilt after the fair, it seemed like everyday was sunny or rainy so it I had to wait quite awhile for a nice overcast day to take proper photos.  Luckily, our fall colors were at their peak, making a nice backdrop.

Square Dance Quilt

The back of the quilt really shows the quilting in detail.  I also added a few extra blocks in a strip along the bottom.  I love that little pop at the bottom!  I was also quite proud of myself for adding the hanging sleeve right away (granted…it was forced because I wanted to enter it in the fair), but usually I wait forever and don’t have any backing fabric leftover to use.  The sleeve looks so much nicer in matching fabric!

Note to self: make the hanging sleeve when you first finish the quilt from now on.

Custom quilting

This is my Stash Bee Square Dance with my miniature quilt Square Dance.  These two quilts have earned a few second place finishes – North Carolina State Fair, Quilting in the Pines Quilt Show, and Floral Fantasy Quilt Show.

Award winning quilts

Finally, a photoshoot out-take…  My daughter was “helping” to arrange the quilts just like mom.  Maybe I have a future quilter on my hands!  Or a photographer…

little girl quilt

Thanks for stopping by!

-Heather

Linking up to whoever has the link up post this week of the following:

Anything Goes MondayFabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationFinish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom QuiltsWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictTGIFFFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth FabricShow off Saturday at Sew Can SheSewing Saturday at Simple Simon & CoStash Bee Link Up

 

Spinnaker Quilt for my dad

Now that Christmas is over, I can share the Spinnaker Quilt that I made for my dad.

This summer I went to visit my parents and Grandmother in Wisconsin.  While I was there, my dad described a skirt he had seen and asked if I could recreate a quilt like it.  He wanted a quilt made up of rectangles about 2 inches by 8 inches in yellow, red, and green with some white in there to calm it down a bit.  His major descriptor was that he wanted it to be bright and cheerful.  Later, the request was modified somewhat as he said it reminded him of the colorful spinnaker sails at a sailboat regatta.

I had already pulled some nautical fabrics before the spinnaker theme was requested, so I knew I was going in the right direction.  My dad grew up around boats, and had a boat most of his life.  Some of my fondest memories growing up are from sailing down the Columbia River at dusk.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

Each of the 238 rectangles in this quilt measure 2.5 inches by 8 inches prior to sewing.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

My trimmings turned out quite pretty, at least more so than usual.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

The layout is 34 rectangles vertically and 7 rectangles wide.  The top photo is prior to being sewn together – it was a risk to use the design floor with baby and dog around.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

The back is pieced – I didn’t have enough of the one main fabric, so I pieced in the linen and anchor fabric as a design choice.  Plus, I think pieced backs are kind of fun.

I chose to quilt it with a new panto – rounded rectangles.  I wanted something masculine, yet the rounded edges helped to soften the design.  I think a sharp quilting design would have been too much for this quilt.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

I debated about the binding, but after getting some confirmation from instagram friends, I went with the gray binding.  It fit the nautical theme much better.

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

The making of the Spinnaker Quilt

And now for the stream of finished pictures… The quilt had been finished for several days before I finally had a sunny day to take them!

Spinnaker Quilt

Spinnaker Quilt

I had trouble taking pictures of the back thanks to my helpers – my two girls.  First, the dog wanted to see what was going on outside.

Spinnaker Quilt

After I closed the window, the daughter walked over trying to figure out why she couldn’t see outside.

Spinnaker Quilt

It’s a very large throw, which made it a little difficult to get a photo of the entire thing inside my dry house.  I don’t risk quilts outside when it is wet.

Spinnaker Quilt

Spinnaker Quilt

Lastly, the roll shows the binding color the best.

Spinnaker Quilt

My dad loved it! Below is my dad’s view of the quilt being shown off Christmas morning.  So much so that he said it was too nice to use and that he wanted to just hang it up.  Luckily, my mom (who crochets, and therefore understands that things are made to be used) told him it was too nice not to use and that he has to use it.  A successful Christmas quilt!
Spinaker QUilt

Linking up to: Quilt StoryYou Flew Tuesdays at Feather’s FlightsFinish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom QuiltsFriday Favs Party at Nap Time Crafters, Anything Goes Mondays at Stitch by Stitch, and while not quite a work in progress (because I couldn’t share it during the progress) Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.